# Cross-referencing Social Media and Public Surveillance Camera Data for Disaster Response

## TL;DR

This study evaluates the usefulness of social media data during Hurricane Irma by comparing it with surveillance camera outages to assist emergency response efforts.

## Contribution

It provides an analysis of social media's reliability and content during a disaster when physical surveillance systems fail.

## Key findings

- Social media activity increased during camera outages.
- Content from social media provided valuable on-the-ground information.
- Social media can supplement physical surveillance in emergencies.

## Abstract

Physical media (like surveillance cameras) and social media (like Instagram and Twitter) may both be useful in attaining on-the-ground information during an emergency or disaster situation. However, the intersection and reliability of both surveillance cameras and social media during a natural disaster are not fully understood. To address this gap, we tested whether social media is of utility when physical surveillance cameras went off-line during Hurricane Irma in 2017. Specifically, we collected and compared geo-tagged Instagram and Twitter posts in the state of Florida during times and in areas where public surveillance cameras went off-line. We report social media content and frequency and content to determine the utility for emergency managers or first responders during a natural disaster.

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/1901.06459